This is the first printing of the first edition of THE PURCELL RANGE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA by James Monroe Thorington. This book was published in New York by The American Alpine Club in 1946. The book measures 234mm tall x 155mm, and has 152 pages, 79 b/w photos, 9 maps (1 folding in pocket), 3 appendices, index. From the author's introduction, “The first book to deal with the Purcell Range as a whole, in its geographical relationships, local topography and exploration.” Mainly a history of exploration & climbing, including author’s pioneering ascents during the summers of 1928, 30, 31, 33. This was the first book to have substantial content on climbing in the Bugaboo Mountains (though Kain’s autobiography includes a few pages). This book is one of the least common of main books on climbing in Canada. The publisher of the book, The American Alpine Club, rarely published (if ever) more than 500 copies of a book prior to the 1960s. The AAC probably produced only between 250 and 500 copies of this book.

CONDITION: Original navy cloth, gilt lettering spine. This book was apparently issued without a dust jacket. I have never seen nor heard of any example of a printed dust jacket for this book. Previous owner name penned to top of first blank page, no other previous owner marks or writing on any pages, no foxing, solid binding, clean cover, very minor rubbing tips corners, spine very slightly faded, spine lettering dulled a bit and missing in a few spots (common for this book), otherwise near Fine. Price: $350.